Council OKs plan for libraries

City Council approved Austin Public Library’s strategic plan Thursday, paving the way for expansion in the future. The plan, which can be read in its entirety here, recommends construction and expansion of existing branches. In terms of expansion, the plan recommends that more than half of the existing branches be expanded to at least 30,000 square feet. In addition, the plan recommends four “net new” large library branches in each quadrant of the city. “Five and a half years ago, Austin opened a new world-class Central Library in downtown, and that building remains the crown jewel of the city,” said Library Director Roosevelt Weeks in a statement to the press. “However, our neighborhoods deserve world-class library facilities too. The plan adopted by the City Council today lays out a vision for growing and updating our entire library system to meet the needs of the rapidly changing, dynamic city we serve.” In addition to the library expansion, the 118-page plan also lays out five new strategic goals. They are:

1.  Provide community-centric programs and services
2. Design and develop spaces for community connections
3. Foster stakeholder relationships
4. Expand library access
5. Engage staff